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Thursday, 27 July 2017

My Ironman Journey - James B

My journey started many years
ago when weighed 25 stone I have always battled with weight and still do.

I decided to do Ironman as I
love to put my body to the limit and to see what I can do. Also to prove to
myself I am fit enough and it does not matter what shape or size you are.
Anything is possible

People who know me realize that I
always train and live for it. The feeling of pushing myself is like a drug.
Because of my weight I also feel I have something to prove all the time. Always
get comments when racing "god he is doing well for his size" these
comments just push me more. To be honest I still have to lose
more but what people may not know is when you have abused your body it is hard
to get it back (perfectly flat) often wish I was skinny but I am not and just
have to deal with it the best I can. I was hoping I would lose more during ironman
training. But when training hard and doing a lot of hours you need to eat. So
only dropped a stone

I started the
plan with Graham and Scott - we were already friends but have become much closer.
When going through 32 weeks of training the amount of highs and lows you go
through is unreal but we all pulled together and supported each other through
out. Times when you feel you just cannot do another day of training.

During training I have improved
my swimming from being a 2,10 per yard to a 1,39 and being able to hold that
pace. Even though Hindley baths was empty on a Tuesday night the support from
Claire Matchwick and her advice was brilliant and Shaun who put together some real good
sessions has made the difference.

My cycling improved with using Trainer Road
and a power meter which I think is anamazing tool and we were
doing 4-5 bike sessions a week. Also having Graham with all his knowledge in
cycling helped loads. My running started to go down hill when I tore a muscle
and missed a lot of long runs which affected me on race day. The last 5 weeks
were very worrying and I did silly things like kept running and making it
worse, in the end I had 12 days off running and Warren did an amazing job
getting me to race day

Race day - my nerves were all
over the place thinking to myself how the hell I am going to complete this,
really worried about the run - had I done enough.

Swim - got myself in the 80min
wave, even though I had done 70mins for distance just thought it would be best.
My swim went very well. thought I could have gone quicker but very hard getting
past so many people getting kicked and swum over. First lap was in 36 mins
second was slower as I started to lap the slower swimmers but over all swim time was
1hr 16mins.

T1 - messed about again chatting
away to random people when I should have been getting on with it.

Bike - this is what I wanted to
smash I had worked hard on the bike. So I pulled my bike off the rack and as I went
down the road someone smashed my rear mech so it was changing and slipping
gears. I was so upset knowing it was affecting my ride and knowing Sheep House
was coming up.... when I got to 25miles my power was really down nowhere near
it. So I had to just get on with it and thought sod it, if I brake down at
least I tried - so started to up my power. Hoping I would find my chief
mechanic (Dave) but found him at 70 miles and just thought I would carry on.
When I picked up my bike that evening I took the wheel off and the whole rear
mech fell to bits so I was very lucky. Also first time ever when riding I was
cramping. Had to stop twice and get massages with cold water, amazing what
people do for you in this event helping you out. Came into T2 happy but pissed
off knowing I could pushed it tiny bit more.

T2 – was me trying to relax and
took a min as I was really worried also thought with good time here would make
a massive difference in my overall time.

Run - came out felt ok and HR
was low but that did not last long around a mile in massive cramp in my hand
strings and quads so I had a minute and collected my thoughts just kept saying
I have come this far I am not just throwing the towel in. First 8 miles was
really bad - cramp was not going away and best place to get cramp is right in
the centre with everyone watching you and you cannot move till it has passed.
Just had to keep plugging away and walked all the hills which helped the cramp
issues. I knew this was going to happen as I had missed some big training
sessions... the support from the A&T feed station was brilliant and gave me
such a lift each time I came round. Then Graham caught me up and stayed with me
throughout the run which was amazing as we chatted all the way round and made
sure we kept on target to be honest not sure I could have done it without Graham.
Best thing about it is to finish with your mate

When I came through the finish
it was very emotional for me it was just everything I have been through fat man
to ironman.. I have worked so hard to get to where I am now. Still cannot
believe I have do it

Also like to thank everyone who
has supported me

Graham and Scott - training
mates

Jon - for all his support
throughout training and IM just being there and making me eat when needed

Lorraine and Hannah for the support
throughout the day and to put up with all the training we have done

Lynn and A&T feed station
crew massive thank you when things are shit it is good seeing all your friends

Massive thank you to Suzanne and
Dave (aka chief mechanic) without Dave my bikes would not have been ready truly
the best!

Lastly my family and
my kids - they had to put up with weekends of long training and their
understanding my goals

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"The opinions expressed on this blog represent those of the individual authors and unless clearly labeled do not represent the opinions and policies of the whole club." Copyright Astley & Tyldesley Road Runners.Maintained by Gary Stevens